Edwin Leander Johnson's Obituary
Edwin Leander Johnson, 80, transitioned peacefully Saturday, May 28, 2016 at the home of his daughter and family in Culpeper (VA). Born on December 5, 1935 in Hartford (CT), Edwin was an only child to the late Elizabeth Poppel and Edwin Clifford Johnson.
Preferred to be called “Ed”, he graduated from New Britain Senior High School in 1953 and attended Yale University where he obtained a Bachelor of Engineering in 1957. Later, he obtained a Master of Science in Public Administration and a Master of Arts in Economics from Harvard University in 1962 and 1964, respectively.
Ed served as a commissioned officer (Army) in the Commission Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, Department of Health, Education and Welfare (1958-61). He joined the Department of Interior as a federal employee in the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration and thereafter, became the Director of Water in the Federal Water Quality Administration. Soon after the formation of the Office of Pesticide Programs within the newly-established U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ed elevated from Director of the Registration Division to become the first Office Director for the Office of Pesticide Programs.
Before retiring from federal government service, Ed worked as part of the management team for the Office of International Activities. And, not very long afterwards, he became a consultant for Technology Sciences Group where he later was President until his departure in 2010.
When not traveling the globe, Ed enjoyed leisure time sailing in his boat at his Maryland residence and taking in cultural and social activities of Washington DC life where he also resided. He loved his family and enjoyed the friendships that he had cultivated thru the years.
Ed is survived by his daughter Dee (Joseph) Diesman of Culpeper; four grandchildren: Krystal (Jorge) Vasquez of Jacksonville, NC, Justin Ruger of Culpeper, Hunter Stone of Virginia Beach, VA, and Michael Moore of Culpeper; one great-grandson: Charlie Bolanos of Jacksonville, NC and his best friend Harold (Helen) Burkhardt, several cousins, and dear friends.
Funeral services will be held at Carlson Funeral Home, 45 Franklin Square, New Britain (CT) on Friday, June 3, 2016 at 11 am. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, in New Britain, CT.
A Celebration of Life for Ed is planned to be held in Arlington (VA) at a later date.
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